Summary
This randomised block field trial evaluated how the timing of cattle grazing during the growing season influences foraging behaviour, diet quality, and botanical composition in semi-arid bunchgrass-dominated rangelands. Using ruminally-cannulated cattle observed across early, middle, and late growing-season grazing windows (May–July 2024), the researchers quantified significant differences in consumption rates and bite frequency, with late-June grazing showing markedly lower intake rates. The findings provide empirical evidence on seasonal variation in defoliation timing, with direct implications for optimising deferment-based grazing management systems in semi-arid environments.
Regional applicability
The semi-arid bunchgrass ecology studied differs substantially from UK grassland systems, which tend to be higher-rainfall and species-diverse. However, the methodology for assessing foraging behaviour and the principle that grazing timing affects forage recovery and diet quality may inform UK upland or lowland pasture management under variable seasonal conditions, particularly for regenerative or adaptive grazing systems.
Key measures
Consumption rate (g/min), bite frequency (bites/min), rumen samples for diet composition, botanical composition of diet by species, forage utilization via pre- and post-grazing clippings, pasture regrowth potential
Outcomes reported
The study measured foraging behaviour (bite frequency, consumption rate), diet quality and botanical composition, and forage utilization across four timing treatments during the 2024 growing season. Post-grazing regrowth potential was assessed via clipping samples from grazed and ungrazed pastures.
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